International Eucharistic Congress: Politicians Should Treat People’s Trust As A Gift

Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said politicians should not lose the trust given to them by their constituents and repay this through service during a recent press conference of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) at the IEC pavilion.

“When you (politician) are elected, you are given the trust and you must treat that as a gift. Do not throw away that gift,” said Cardinal Tagle who was one of the key speakers of the congress.

According to Cardinal Tagle, in the Eucharistic framework, politicians should not stop treating the people’s trust as a gift and “show it through service.”

Cardinal Tagle said that just being in politics, one already earned the trust of the people.

The cardinal also called on restoring family meals directing this to the wider community as sharing a common table develops trust, sharing and sensitivity.

But the challenge of reestablishing the family meals is also hindered by several factors such as traffic and technology, bared Cardinal Tagle.

“In Manila, traffic mainly prevents the family from eating together as the husband arrives home late from work,” said Cardinal Tagle adding that traffic congestion at the capital should be addressed.

The cardinal further said that with well-to-do families, children opt to watch television in their own room and have dinner alone or prefer to play with their gadget instead of sharing the same table during meal times.

“We need to restore family meals even at least once a week because in common meals, we share common stories. It is not just about food but also love,” said Cardinal Tagle.

Another advice given by the cardinal is for elders to always listen to the young amid an emerging different youth culture today. “Elders need to understand the youth’s culture. We need to engage and consult them,” if we want to promote the Eucharist to them, he added. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)